Kubernetes: Node Cordon vs. Node Drain

Node Cordon

This will mark the node as unschedulable. New pod will not be scheduled to be deployed on this node. Existing pods still run on this node until the next reschedule.

kubectl cordon <node-name>

Node Uncordon

This will mark the node as schedulable.

kubectl uncordon <node-name>

Node Drain

This will mark the node as unschedulable and at the same time evict the pods.

kubectl drain <node-name>

References:

• Nodes | Kubernetes
• Safely Drain a Node | Kubernetes